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A 3737

Relates to funding for highway construction and improvements

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Dave DiPietro

Licenses issued instantly on filing for marriage/civil unions; 72-hour ceremony wait remains with emergency and active-duty waivers; licenses valid 30 days from issuance.

REFERRED TO WAYS AND MEANS
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Bill Summary · A 3737

Summary of Bill A 3737 (New Jersey)

Note on Date/Content: The bill information lists A 3737 with a title about highway funding, but the version content and statements provided here pertain to marriage/civil union licenses and waiting periods. The following summary reflects the introduced version content as described below. Related bills include S 3363 (companion) and A 9038 (prior-session).

Overview

  • Purpose: Amends R.S.37:1-4 to modify how and when a marriage or civil union license is issued, while preserving the existing 72-hour waiting period before a ceremony.
  • Key change: Licenses would be issued immediately upon filing the application, reducing the need for a separate trip to a licensing office to obtain the license. The 72-hour waiting period for ceremony remains in place, with limited waivers.

Key Provisions

  1. Issuance of license
    • The marriage or civil union license shall be issued immediately upon filing the application (i.e., licensing officers would issue the license instantly upon application).
  2. Waiting period for ceremony
    • The 72-hour waiting period between issuance of the license and the ceremony remains in effect.
    • The Superior Court may waive all or part of the 72-hour period in cases of emergency, by order (the order must be filed with the licensing officer and attached to the license application).
    • The 72-hour period does not apply to active duty members of the U.S. Armed Forces or the National Guard.
  3. License validity
    • A license issued under this article remains valid for 30 days from the date of issuance.
  4. Effective date
    • The act takes effect immediately.

Who is Affected

  • Individuals applying for marriage or civil union licenses.
  • Licensing officers/licensing officers’ offices (registrars) who issue licenses.
  • The Superior Court (emergency-waiver authority).
  • Active duty service members and National Guard members (explicit exemptions from the waiting period).

Procedural and Timeline Details

  • Current law (before this bill): After applying, a 72-hour waiting period applies before license issuance; the ceremony cannot occur during that period.
  • Under this bill: License issuance is immediate upon filing, but couples still must wait 72 hours before the ceremony, with possible waivers for emergencies and for active duty personnel.
  • Waiver process: Superior Court may order waiver of all or part of the 72-hour period in emergencies; such order is filed with the licensing officer and attached to the license application.
  • License duration: Once issued, the license is valid for 30 days.

Fiscal/Administrative Considerations

  • No explicit funding or highway-related appropriation is described in the provided text. The bill’s placement in Ways and Means (as of 2025-01-30) suggests potential fiscal review, but no specific costs or savings are stated in the excerpt.

Legislative History and Related Actions

  • Introduced: February 22, 2024 (Assembly)
  • Initial action: Referred to Assembly Judiciary Committee
  • Later action: Referred to Ways and Means on January 30, 2025
  • Related bills: S 3363 (companion); A 9038 (prior-session)

Notable Observations

  • There is a discrepancy between the listed bill title (highway funding-related) and the content (marriage license provisions). The summary above reflects the substantive provisions described in the introduced version content.
  • If enacted, the bill would modernize license issuance (potentially reducing in-person trips) while maintaining the ceremonial delay and existing exemptions.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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